ic Wales, United Kingdom
Jan 28 2008
Memorial attacked night before service
Jan 28 2008 by Katie Bodinger, South Wales Echo
A MONUMENT set up in Cardiff to remember 1.5 million Armenians who
were massacred in 1915 was vandalised ahead of a service for all the
victims of genocide.
The memorial in the Temple of Peace, Cathays, Cardiff, made of
sandstone and Welsh slate, was struck with a sledgehammer on Saturday
night, smashing the cross off it.
Yesterday was Holocaust Memorial Day and a service was held to
remember all those who have died at the hands of ethnic cleansing.
Members of the Turkish community have condemned the damage.
Caerphilly Councillor Ray Davies, who campaigned for the Armenian
monument to be erected, said many people at the service yesterday
were close to tears when they saw what had happened.
`The desecration of the monument reminds us that we must always be
vigilant against racism and hatred which is never far from the
surface,’ he said.
The pillar of pink stone was unveiled in November to remember all
those Armenians who were murdered by Ottoman Turks in 1915.
It caused controversy at the time, with members of the Turkish
community denying the killings amounted to genocide.
The sledgehammer which damaged the monument was found close to the
scene yesterday.
But the service still went ahead as planned, despite protests from a
small number of people who shouted through loud hailers.
Director of the Welsh Centre for International Affairs Stephen Thomas
said: `It was particularly saddening for the Armenians present that
this happened on the day of the Holocaust Memorial Day. This service
wasn’t specific to the Armenians. We were trying to be all-inclusive
about all those historical events where people have been massacred.
It wasn’t very helpful in terms of trying to create a bridge and
links between Turkey and Armenia that this was carried out. People
were upset when they turned up and saw what had happened.’
Hal Savas, a member of the five-man delegation from the Committee for
the Protection of Turkish Rights, was present at the service.
`Whoever has done it should be ashamed of themselves,’ he said. `We
would condemn any damage done to any religious monument.’
South Wales Police are appealing for witnesses. Contact then on 029
20222111.
/cardiff-news/2008/01/28/memorial-attacked-night-b efore-service-91466-20402958/